(photo by Linda Porter)

This song “Catch You the Next Time (for Bob Porter)”, is dedicated to Grammy Award-winning record producer, heralded jazz and blues authority and author, legendary WBGO announcer, Bob Porter, passed away on April 10, 2021. I had the good fortune to work with him for eight years as his producer on Portraits in Blue and learned a ton listening to the blues with him. I decided to dedicate this song to Bob (originally titled “The Way Things Are Now” inspired by Ellington’s “Things Ain’t the Way They Used To Be”) just before this performance and both bassist Lonnie Plaxico and saxophonist Jon Irabagon immediately got in the spirit. Everybody in jazz knows Bob Porter and his theme, “Bolo Blues” by Jimmy Forrest. Jon Irabagon immediately started quoting Forrest…I didn’t even realize it until after the fact. Jon’s a lot quicker than me no doubt. And still, I’m so glad we got to play this tribute to the mind behind Portraits in Blue. Bob helped shape our ears and hearts for the blues for years to come! And we will always remember Bob’s famous sign off when we play “Catch You the Next Time.”

Produced by: Jazz Power Initiative, in partnership with The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

Artists:
Jon Irabagon, saxophone, composer
Lonnie Plaxico, bass
Eil Yamin, piano

Production:
Rafael Gell, videographer
Jeff Jones ” The Jedi Master”, audio producer
Jonathan Hernandez-Jimenez, assistant audio producer, video editor